Accidents involving commercial vehicles can cause severe harm to occupants of passenger vehicles. If you were seriously hurt in a truck crash, contact the tractor-trailer wreck attorneys at Maschka Personal Injury.
Based in Mankato but serving the surrounding areas, we have years of experience negotiating Mankato truck accident settlements and are prepared to help you secure a favorable outcome in your claim.
Minnesota is a no-fault state for vehicle accidents, including crashes involving commercial trucks. Everyone who registers a vehicle in the state must have proof of personal injury protection insurance (PIP). Anyone injured in a tractor-trailer crash relies on their PIP to cover their initial medical expenses.
The law allows an injured person to assert a legal claim against an at-fault driver under certain conditions. According to Minnesota Statutes § 65B.51, you can make a claim against the trucking company’s insurance if you meet a tort threshold. Some ways to meet a threshold include:
You can also bring a claim if a family member dies in a truck collision.
Big rig accidents typically cause significant injuries, and many survivors will meet the criteria to bring a claim against the at-fault trucker’s insurance. However, Mankato truck wreck claims are often far more complicated than car accident claims, so it is a good idea to work with an experienced attorney who can help you effectively negotiate a settlement.
If you bring a vehicle collision claim, you generally must prove that the at-fault driver was negligent. Semi-truck drivers must comply with numerous federal regulations while operating their commercial vehicle. If our Mankato attorneys can find evidence that the truck driver responsible for the accident violated any of the applicable standards, we can leverage this violation in settlement negotiations.
Federal regulations require truckers to use the utmost care to avoid harming others. They must adhere to strict work hours limits, and no alcohol or drug use is permitted. Tractor-trailer owners must keep the vehicles in excellent repair and conduct regular maintenance.
We can subpoena the trucker’s log, the truck’s electronic data recorder, and maintenance records to find evidence of negligence. When confronted with evidence that we could present in court, trucking companies and their insurers often choose to negotiate a settlement rather than risk a trial.
A fair settlement benefits both parties. You receive money, helping you to recover after the crash. The trucking company is spared the expense and time commitment of litigation.
Numerous variables impact the amount of your settlement. Your age and earning power are important—a young person with high earnings who cannot work for the rest of their life would likely receive more than a retiree. The severity of your injuries, including the impact they have on your work and family life, is also a critically important factor.
Additionally, the extent of the trucking company’s negligence is important. If the driver was reckless or the truck was poorly maintained, the trucking company may face the possibility of punitive damages at a trial. In that case, the company may be eager to settle for a more generous sum. Our attorneys in Mankato will negotiate aggressively and are prepared to take a big rig accident case to trial if the trucking company does not make a reasonable settlement offer.
Most people who are seriously injured in an accident need the money from a legal claim, but they also deserve the satisfaction of holding the wrongdoer accountable. Ideally, Mankato truck accident settlements accomplish both goals. Reach out to us at Maschka Personal Injury today to talk about resolving your truck wreck claim.
